Common Cause found that the total fundraising in Senate races was nearly $5.2-million, an increase of about $54,000 compared to four years ago.

In the House races, the total raised was more than $80,000 higher compared to four years ago, with a total raised this year of $5.5--million, compared to $5.2-million in 2010.

Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, executive director of Common Cause Maryland, attributes the increase to strong fundraising by candidates before this year's legislative session began on January 8, and to strong fundraising after the session ended April 7.

By law, members of the Maryland General Assembly cannot raise money during the 90-day session.

Bevan-Dangel believes that this year's U.S. Supreme Court ruling declaring aggregate limits on campaign donations unconstitutional is having an impact on Maryland.

Bevan-Dangel says that decision meant donors can donate to as many candidates as they want.

According to this year's figures, Bevan-Dangel says candidates for the House have raised on average about $61,000 per incumbent, and candidates for the Senate have raised about $133,000 per incumbent.

In the analysis, about half of the senators and half of the delegates raised more money this year compared to four years ago.

In the Senate, Prince George's County Democrat Jim Rosapepe has the biggest increase in fundraising of any of the incumbents studied. In 2010, he raised $42,838.90. This year he raised $352,392.77, an increase of $332,301.92. Rosapepe is running unopposed in both the primary and general election.

Baltimore County Democrat Jim Brochin had the second highest increase in fundraising, raising $247,129.52 this year, an increase of $83,778.62 over 2010. Brochin is facing former Democratic Delegate Connie DeJulius in next month's primary. The winner of that primary faces Republican Tim Robinson in November.

In the House, Montgomery County Democrat Aruna Miller has the biggest increase of any of the incumbents studied. She raised $110,211.30 as of last week, compared to $32,139.69 in 2010. That's an increase of $78,071.61. Miller is one of four candidates running for the nomination four seats in the primary.

Baltimore County Democrat Dan Morhaim, had the second largest increase in fundraising of $76,903.73 having raised $262,940.48 this year compared to $186,036.75 in 2010. Morhaim is one of six Democrats running for the nomination for three seats in the primary.